Shaw's Hosts Renee Erickson Book Signing

As part of its 30th anniversary festivities Shaw's Crab House, 21 E. Hubbard, hosts "An Evening with Renee Erickson," 6:30 p.m. April 2. Guests chefs Giuseppe Tentori of GT Fish and Oyster and Cosmo Goss of the Pelican join host chefs Pete Balodimas and Annie Tellez in celebration of Erickson's first cookbook A Boat, a Whale & a Walrus. Erickson is the chef at The Walrus & the Carpenter in Seattle, WA. Dinner is $125, includes book. shawscrabhouse

D.O.C. Wine Bar's 10th Anniversary

D.O.C. Wine Bar, 2602 N. Clark, celebrates its 10th anniversary with $10 butcher boards (normally starting at $17) and $10 wine flights (normally starting at $15 for a three-flight sample). Available beginning 5 p.m. until closing April 1. docwinebar

Porkchop's Sauces Are Available For Purchase

All four Porkchop restaurants are making limited quantities of its sweet and savory barbecue sauces available for purchase for National Sauce Month (March). Varieties are: Chipotle Bourbon; Texas; Damn Good and Chicago (tangy infused with rosemary and olive): $7, 16-ounce Mason jar. chicagoporkchop

Freddie's Customer Appreciation Day

Fabulous Freddie's Italian Eatery, 701 W. 31st Street, is offering 50 percent off all regular menu items 9 a.m. to midnight March 24 to thank customers for 25 years of patronage. freddies

Geja's Cafe Hosts Fess Parker Winemaker Dinner

Best known as one of Disney's earliest stars for his role of the Davy Crockett in a five-part serial (later adapted to a movie) and his long-time television role as Daniel Boone, actor Fess Parker in his later years owned and operated a successful winery in Santa Ynez Valley. A representative from the late winemaker's California winery will be on hand for the Fess Parker Winemakers Dinner, 6:30 p.m. April 13, Geja's Cafe, 340 W. Armitage; $55. gejascafe.com

Mercat's National Paella Day

Executive Chef Jose Garces of  Mercat a la Planxa, 638 S. Michigan, serves up mini paella dishes, including Paella Valenciana (saffron calaspara rice, chicken ropa, chorizo, artichoke tomato salad, saffron aioli toast), March 27 in honor of National Paella Day ($21, for two servings). mercatchicago

Paella Valenciana: PHOTO PROVIDED BY MERCAT A LA PLANXA

Krispy Kreme Spring Fling

Participating Krispy Kreme shops in the U.S. and Canada are featuring seasonal-inspired doughnuts March 23-April 5. krispykreme

SideDoor's Inaugural Guest Chef Dinner

Chef Brian Kwak and beverage director Jeff Van Der Tuuk of SideDoor, 100 E. Ontario, partner with chef/brewer Jared Rouben of  Moody Tongue Brewery for "Culinary Brewed," a six-course, beer-inspired dinner, 7 p.m. April 1. The dinner is the first offering in the restaurant's "guest chef" dinner series. sidedoor

First Course

Bay Scallops with avocado mousse and preserved Meyer lemon

Beer: Steeped Emperor’s Lemon Saison

Second Course

Lobster Roll with herbs

Beer: Sliced Nectarine IPA

Third Course

Pork Porchetta with charred rapini

Beer: Brandied Purple Raspberry Dubbel

Fourth Course

Cocoa Crusted Prime Rib with creamed spinach and bordelaise

Beer: Dehydrated Tangerine Cacao Wheat

Cheese Course

Midnight Moon

Beer: Steeped Emperor’s Lemon Saison

Dessert

Baltic Porter Tiramisu

Beer: Caramelized Chocolate Churro Baltic Porter

Baconfest is Near

Bacon lovers get your chops in gear because Bacon Month and the city's popular Baconfest is right around the corner. Events for the month kick-off with the Greater Chicago Food Depository's Bacon Month Volunteer Day, March 28. The Second Annual Bacon Month Kickoff  Party is March 31. Whole Foods hosts two chef-conducted bacon master classes paired with Lagunitas beers, April 4 (south loop location) and April 11 (Lincoln Park) along with a free bacon sampling noon to 3 p.m. April 11 at participating stores. The Berkshire Room bacon tastings are April 8 and 15; bacon themed painting class is April 16 at the Acme Hotel Company, which will also hosts Kevin Bacon movie nights Tuesday in April. For a complete list of bacon month eventis visit, baconfestmonth And, of course, the highly anticipated Baconfest Chicago takes place April 17-18 at UIC Forum. baconfest

Auditorium Theatre Transforms into the Batcave

Enter the Batcave, okay it's the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress, transformed into the Batcave for the venue's "Made in Chicago" Movie Series' screening of  "The Dark Night," filmed on location in Chicago. A cocktail reception featuring Batman themed drinks and entertainment by Acrobatica Infiniti Circus (The Nerd Circus) performing gymnastic stunts dressed as Batman characters, begins at 6 p.m. March 19. The movie screening is at 7 p.m. auditoriumtheatre

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

For Pi Day (March 14) Francis Ford Coppola Winery released its Pitagora (pi-tag-ora) red wine inspired by the Greek scholar and mathematician Pythagoras, for whom the day is named. francisfordwinery

Stan's Donuts' Specialty Selection for March

Stan's Donuts & Coffee, (1560 N. Damen and 259 E. Erie) and John Manion chef/owner of La Sirena Clandestina have partnered for the March guest donut-- the salted dulce leche (squaremarck), a square-shape version of a Bismarck donut with a Latin twist; $3.25, available March 6-20. Twenty-five cent from every donut sold will benefit UN 86'd. stans

Fountainhead Craft Boilermaker Night, Part 3

Fountainhead, 1970 W. Montrose, hosts Craft Boilermaker Night: Part 3 The Revenge of the Boilermaker, 7 p.m. March 9. The bar experiments with a combination of beer and whiskey mixtures created from the following brands: Few Spirits, New Holland, Journeyman Distillery, Sketchbook Brewing, Aquanaut Brewing, Illuminated Brew Works and Begyle Brewing. Industry experts will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the popular beer and whiskey concoction. The demo is free with boilermaker samples available for purchase. fountainhead

Revolution Tap Takeover at Cactus

Revolution Brewing stages a tap takeover at Cactus Bar & Grill, 404 S. Wells, in support of the launch of its its Fist City Chicago Pale Ale, 5-7 p.m. March 12. During the event featured Revolution brews will be available for $5. cactuschicago